Organisers of the second Tokerau Beach Fun Run reported an "amazing" turnout of 140 participants enjoying perfect early summer conditions last Saturday.
Event spokesperson Polly Raharuhi Toby noted the sun came out on a spectacular day allowing everyone to enjoy a "fantastic" day on the beach where runners of all fitness levels and ages, from 2 to 63 years and including families from as far away as Feilding, took part.
"Being a new event we still do not know how many we can expect yet this year we were blown away with an amazing turnout of 140," said Polly, adding of those, 48 were aged 10 or under.
"This was an event for the whole family and it was great to see so many families out there together, pushing prams, walking, running or just there in support. We even had some turning up with their dogs."
This year's course featured a new 2km course for those aged 7 to add to the short 4km and long 12km course distances used in the inaugural event last year. The first place-getters on each course were as follows. 2km kids: Oliver Thompson (boy) and Zara Preece-Twose (girl); short course: Ben Turner (boy), Thea Hodge (girl), Nicki Walker (female), Jaydon Gibson (male); and, long course: Ike Urlich-Morrison (male), Emily McDowell (female). As well, receiving special mention was 10-year-old Hannah Watson, who finished third overall on the 12km course, while the best dressed team prize went to Team Scullywags who all came as pirates.
"We hope you all had a great time and we look forward to seeing you all next time," Polly said, adding that the day was only a success because of all the wonderful support and sponsorship organisers received from the wider community. On behalf of the organising committee, she thanked all who gave their support (funds raised to go towards the planned Whatuwhiwhi Recreation Hub), the Kaitaia 4x4 Club for setting up and manning the water stops, and all the wonderful helpers, while a very special thank you went out to all the event's sponsors: "Your generosity was amazing!"
However, final word went to Whatuwhiwhi community stalwart Thomson Lawrence who was also involved in organising the annual fire brigade's 24 hour fishing contest which wound up on Sunday. Lawrence welcomed the growing awareness for both events, particularly the fun run held on Saturday morning on Tokerau Beach which proved it had grown substantially in what was only its second year in existence.
"It's getting bigger every year. It's a hard-out weekend for us but we get all these visitors up here [over the long weekend] and it's our job to host and entertain them and get money off them."